Justin Durant stepped on the plane bound for California and was reminded right away why his second training camp with the Dallas Cowboys would be so much more important than the first.

Sean Lee was on the flight, even though he'll miss the season at middle linebacker after tearing a knee ligament in the first practice of the offseason.

Durant is most likely to start in Lee's place a year after the Cowboys signed him more for depth at linebacker than anything else. Durant came to camp knowing there was more competition for the job because the Cowboys added former top 10 pick Rolando McClain after the offseason program ended.